Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, the home of his estranged political mentor, Nyesom Wike, who is also the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The ongoing political feud between Fubara and Wike has intensified over the control of Rivers State, with Wike accusing Fubara of turning his back on those who helped elevate him to power.
Speaking at a reception organized by the Ijaw Peoples Assembly in Port Harcourt, Wike confidently declared that he would soon teach Fubara and his supporters a hard lesson in political strategy.
He said, “Imagine in Rivers they are contemplating APP. It is not about money. Money does not move. You can have all the money but if there is no capacity, there is no capacity… We have defeated them severally and if the opportunity comes again, we will defeat them… Tell them to keep their party ready. We will teach them what is called politics.”
In response, during an inter-denominational church service celebrating Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt, Fubara addressed the criticism, boldly comparing his achievements to Wike’s eight-year tenure as governor.
He argued that his administration has outperformed its predecessors in just one year.
“They even say, they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them, it is Fubara that signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200 billion for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project. It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They did only a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the complete span, and it is N225 billion. I didn’t borrow,” Fubara said.
He went on to mention the inclusion of a psychiatric hospital in his administration’s healthcare plans.
“It is this same Fubara that is building a General Hospital, which I also included a Psychiatric Hospital because they will need it very soon. So, tell them that what I did in one year is what they did in 8 years.”
He concluded by urging his critics to stop making noise, as empty vessels do, and focus on the progress of the state.
“If God has given you opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet… Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not take any decision that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that will bring any form of disgrace to our dear State. This State is important to us. It is the only thing that we have.”
